At the heart of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel, The Great Gatsby, there is a theme of desire, an unshakable quest by Jay Gatsby set in motion by the beauty of Daisy Buchanan. Yet, when Jay and Daisy are together, considerable awkwardness is displayed between these two characters, and this awkward atmosphere is primarily the result of the actions of Jay Gatsby.
The uncomfortable relationship between Gatsby and Daisy is evidenced during a meeting that might be compared to that of two school children. Both characters seem to rely on the presence of a third person (Nick), who supplies some sort of reassurance and security, especially for Gatsby. The reader is first confronted with a suspicion that the meeting will be filled with nervousness, when Gatsby subtly tries to ask Nick to be present throughout Daisy’s visit, and to organize the meeting. Nick is rather reluctant to get involved, but Gatsby persists, and even goes as far as offering to “bribe” Nick to do so.
After these early signs of awkwardness, a meeting is arranged, and Gatsby awaits the arrival of Daisy at Nick’s home. Just as Gatsby is thinking about leaving, Daisy’s car pulls up, and she duly arrives without her husband. At this point one can understand the awkwardness of the meeting, as Gatsby is after all expressing interest in a married woman. However it is mainly the fact that Gatsby does not have much contact to people, and thus is not very good in handling such confrontations. This idea of him not ha…
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…y and Daisy. He seems to supply Gatsby with a certain amount of security, and confidence.
Finally, through the numerous examples discussed, one can deduce that there is considerable awkwardness between these two characters, and that this atmosphere is mainly portrayed through Gatsby as opposed to Daisy. She seems to be just as insecure, but doesn’t let it show as much. Furthermore their meeting seems to be very childish, and often reminds the reader of meetings between childhood sweethearts. The only fact that seems typical for such a meeting between adults, is when the conversation falls on the weather. Weather is a popular topic amongst adults, who turn to it when they are unsure of what to talk about.
“What do you think of that? It’s stopped raining.”
Foreshadowing, Mood, Mythical Parallels, and Narrative Elements in Dracula
Foreshadowing, Mood, Mythical Parallels, and Narrative Elements in Dracula
In the novel Dracula, by Bram Stoker, there is much evidence of foreshadowing and parallels to other myths. Dracula was not the first story featuring a vampire myth, nor was it the last. Some would even argue that it was not the best. However, it was the most original, using foreshadowing and mood to create horrific imagery, mythical parallels to draw upon a source of superstition, and original narrative elements that make this story unique.
Anyone who has ever seen one of the several adaptations of Dracula as a movie will know that it was intended to be a horror story. Stoker goes to great lengths in order to create an atmosphere of terror and villainy, while hinting at exciting things to come. Straight from the beginning of the book, foreshadowing is utilized to hint at horrifying future events. As Jonathan Harker was about to depart for Castle Dracula, an old lady accosted him and said, “It is the eve of St. George’s Day. Do you not know that to-night when the clock strikes midnight, all the evil things in the world will have full sway?” (Stoker, 4). However Harker leaves anyway, despite the warning. Thus the reader is fully aware that something awful is going to happen to him. This quote makes one’s mind think of possible future events, thus creating imagery. Every writer aspires to create good imagery, and Bram Stoker is particularly good at doing so.
Another example of foreshadowing unfolds when Harker is being transported to Castle Dracula by the mysterious and tenebrous driver. “Then, as we flew along, the driver leaned forward, and on each side the passengers, craning over the edg…
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…are depicted in many instances in order to draw upon a source of superstition for added affirmation. Finally, original narrative elements are conceived in order to bring together a central theme of unity, which stresses the teamwork by which the protagonists defeated the vampires. Bram Stoker applies these elements to create an enriching, compelling plot in the novel Dracula.
Works Cited
Birge, Barbara. “Bram Stoker’s DRACULA: The Quest for Female Potency in Transgressive Relationships.” Psychological Perspectives. 1994. 22-36.
Gutjahr, Paul. “Stoker’s Dracula-Criticism and Interpretation.” Explicator. Fall 1993. 36-40.
Holland, Tom. “A Sure Fang.” New Statesman. Feb. 19, 2001. 40-42.
Keats, P. “Stoker’s Dracula.” Explicator. Fall 1991. 26-29.
Stoker, Bram. Dracula. Tom Doherty Associates: New York, 1988.